⛄ Shorts shovelers and snowstalgia | Morning Newsletter
And the Flower Show weathers the storm.
The Morning Newsletter
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Hi, Philly. More than a foot of snow did indeed fall across the region — the most in a decade, even if it’s not yet clear if it became a blizzard.
Snowstorms in the region may not be a given, but certain Philly snowstorm habits are. Read on for an ode to the weird and wonderful wintry traditions we can rely on.
And workers have started setting up the Philadelphia Flower Show, despite the snow and years of weather curses.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Philadelphia doesn’t get snow every year. But when it does, you can count on a few constants, columnist Stephanie Farr writes. Among them:
⛄ Sledding and even snowboarding on the Art Museum steps, with seemingly no concern about the bumpiness of the ride down
⛄ Shorts shovelers, aka the guys who insist on pretending their legs don’t feel the stinging pain of frozen air
⛄ “Snowstalgia” for the Blizzard of ‘96 — though, hey, maybe kids 30 years from now will be regaled with tales from the Winter of ‘26
More snow news:
This storm likely won’t have the staying power of last month’s — and nature will help with the cleanup. Next up: Light snow is possible this week.
Fourteen inches fell at Philadelphia International Airport, Langhorne got 22, and parts of the Jersey Shore were hit with a whopping two feet. Compare more snow totals in the region.
Philly schools buildings will opt for another day of virtual learning. Other Pennsylvania and New Jersey districts will have the day off, virtual instruction, or operate on delays.
From Haddonfield to Boathouse Row to the Main Line, see photos from a wintry Monday.
Visit Inquirer.com for the latest.
Want to escape the snowglobe-like conditions? Head to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where starting this weekend you’ll find mulch, flowers, and floor-to-ceiling horticultural masterpieces.
Yes, the annual Philadelphia Flower Show has returned — despite Mother Nature’s best efforts at delaying setup.
It’s far from the first time inclement weather has threatened the nearly 200-year-old show, which is typically held in late winter or early spring.
What you should know today
Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity will be a guest at Tuesday night’s State of the Union address. Some Democrats are boycotting or bringing their own guests to send a message.
Pennsylvania leaders want to avoid another lengthy state budget impasse. But a $4.3 billion budget shortfall is expected, as is disagreement over how to fix it.
The Quakertown Community School District is planning to offer counseling and has requested a police presence this week after a student walkout Friday to protest federal immigration enforcement ended in a clash with police and multiple student arrests.
The former Chester County detective who served as a technical adviser for the HBO crime drama Mare of Easttown is suing her past employer and supervisor over alleged sex discrimination.
The Chinatown Stitch, which would cap the Vine Street Expressway, is in limbo after the Trump administration yanked funds. Planners are looking for ways to keep the project alive.
Students would transition from a closing North Philadelphia elementary school in a “very high risk” neighborhood to worse-performing ones, if the district’s plan is approved.
An Arizona State University dean will become Temple University’s next provost, the school’s number-two leader.
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech” wouldn’t be the same without North Philly’s Clarence B. Jones. He’s now the subject of Steph Curry’s directorial debut coming soon to Netflix.
Quote of the day
Two weeks after the last big snowstorm, Saladine Sharad’s car was towed, and SEPTA was still unreliable. But the handyman had a job to get to in Roxborough. So, he bought an electric scooter and began traveling on Google Maps’ prescribed bike route. But after hitting a closed path, he ended up on one of the city’s most dangerous roads — and soon after, on social media.
🧠 Trivia time
The former Mac’s Tavern in Old City will become a Celtic bar called the Monto in April. Two of its owners, Fergus Carey and Jim McNamara, also own which other Philly establishment?
A) Fergie’s Pub
B) Poison Heart
C) Poe’s Side Piece
D) Plough & the Stars
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🕺 Applauding: Penn State’s THON for raising a record $18.8 million.
🍣 Mapping: The best delivery sushi in and around Center City.
🏘️ Noting: That Philly is one of the most popular destinations for apartment hunters.
🏈 Keeping: The Tush Push, it seems, as supporters of a ban stay quiet.
⚽ Considering: How Philadelphia can shine on the FIFA World Cup stage.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Dunder Mifflin’s hometown
TAN CORNS
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Harry Escarge, who solved Monday’s anagram: Tom Shirley. The longtime Thomas Jefferson women’s basketball coach will be inducted into Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame this year.
Photo of the day
Stay cozy — or if you need to go outside, try to make some friends like the smiley guy above. I’ll be back with more news tomorrow morning.
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